Switch-operating mechanism for railways.



No. 647,637. Patented Apr. :7, 1900.

c, w. a .1. B. sninmss. SWITCH UPERATING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAYS.

(Application filed Apr. 12, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

M 42m I Mw Jm No. 647,fi37. Y Patented Apr. I7, 1900. c. w. &.-J. B. suumas. SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAYS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Application filed Apr. 12, 1899.) (No Model YX'ILGwJJeJJ fave 71157;):

THE Nonms FFICE.

CHARLES IVM. SQUIRES AND JAMES B. SQUIRES, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SWIT Gi-I OPERATING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters lPatent NO. 647,637, dated April 17, 1900.

Application filed April 12, 1899. Serial No. 712,824. (No modelJ To rtZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES WILLIAM SQUIRES and JAMES B. SQUIREs,citizens of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of I-lampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch-Operating Mechanisms for Railways, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to electrically-operated switch-throwin g mechanisms for electric railways in which the switch-tongue is operated automatically by a person on the car by the same means usually employed in running the car; and the objects of our invention are, first, to provide a simple and practical means of operating the switch from the car; second, to decrease the amount of insulation necessary for the insulated section of track, and, third, to produce uniform results in the operation of the switch independent of the amount of current passed from the car. \Ve attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a sectional view of a road-bed, switch, and switch-throwing mechanism,with trolley or feed wire, pole for supporting the same, and box ion pole I, in which is located an electric circuit-governing device com prised in the switch-operating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a section of car-track, showing location of switch-throwing mechanism, insulated rails, circuit-conductors, &c. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the electrical device contained in box t in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of a solenoid-magnet for throwing the switch-tongue, also a plan of circuitconductors with insulated rail, ground-wire, dzc. Fig. 5 is atop View of parts 13 and r of Fig. Fig. 0 is a top view of part E from line Z, Fig. 3, with adjuncts. Fig.7 is a top view of contact-block Q of Fig.3.

In Fig. l the box A contains the switchthrowing mechanism. The switch-tongue T in switch-bed Ct is connected by switch-rod b to angle-lever L, which is pivoted on stud cl and counterbalanced by spring 6, angle-lever L being connected by red f to armature D of solenoid-magnet M, which is supported and hold fast to switch-box A by means of magnet-flange g and screws 7t 71.. The pipe 3/ is adapted to protect and drain magnet M.

The trolley or feed wire F is supported by pole I, on which is located box 1', containing an electric governing device comprised in the said switch-operating mechanism, Fig. 3. Said electric device is comprised in an electric circuit P, extending from the feed-wire F, Figs. 1 and 3, to said electric device, where the circuit is broken by a switch comprised in contact-fork c and contact-cells O, C, and C thence continuing in two separate branches P and P to the switch-throwing solenoid-mag net M, the coils of which are comprised therein, and thence to the ground-wire G. Said electric device is also comprised in a second or secondary electric circuit S, separate and distinct from the first-named circuit P, said secondary circuit S extending from the insulated rails R R to the ground-wire G, Figs. 2 and at, and comprising in its circuit the coils of solenoid-magnet N in the aforesaid electrical device, Fig. 3.

In Fig. 3 the solenoid-magnet N, its armature], and connecting-rod 7t operate the pivoted lever K, which is adapted to lower and raise plunger E.

Plunger E has attached thereto insulatorblock 0, which carries contact-fork c, which on being lowered comes in contact with and closes the circuit between the mercury con tacts O and O or O and 0 as the case may be, thereby making a continuous circuit from the feed-wire F to the ground-wire G, the coils of magnet M being comprised in said circuit.

The plunger E is connected to lever K by swivel s. Plunger E is guided in its move ments by bracket B and ratchet-plates r r, the bracket B being provided with apertures 0 0, through which the plunger E moves in adownward-and-upward course. The bracket 13 supports the ratchet-plates 1' r and ratchetspring Z, by means of which and a spiral twist if in plunger E said plunger E is rotated one quarter turn at each upward m ovement,which causes the contact-fork o to close circuits P and P and Pand P alternately. The ratchetplates 1' T have four teeth and an aperture in the center, through which the plunger E passes, Fig. 5, and by which it is given its r0 tary movement.

The ratchet-spring Z is held in position in apertures o in bracket B and cooperates with ratchetplates r r. Contact-fork c is supported by insulator-block O, which is made in two sections and is attached to plunger E by screw q, Fig. 6.

Contact-fork c is insulated by a covering it of rubber or other suitable material.

The contact-cells C, O, and 'O are fitted with binding-screws p, p, and 19 by which connections are made to the proper circuitwires. The contact-cells each contain a suitable quantity of mercury m m for conducting the electric current between the contact-fork c and the binding-screws p, p, and 19 The contact-block Q is made of suitable nonconducting material, a block of which is also placed under armature Pivoted lever K has four aperatures 5, 10, 15, and 20, by means of which and the hook 4 a weight X may be suspended from said lever K at different distances from its fulcrum 00, the suspension of the weight at the different points on said lever K requiring a proportional increase'or decrease in the amount of energy required to operate the magnet N, the number of am peres of current required being indicated by the number on the lever where the weight is hung.

The magnet M, Fig. 4, as shown, is divided into three sections 1, 2, and 3, two of which, 1 and 2 or 3 and 2, are energized by the electric current each time the circuit is closed by the operation of magnet N. As will be seen in Fig. 4, the coils of sections 1 and 2 of magnet M are comprised in circuit P and when energized by the passage of an electric current attract the armature D to the position shown in Fig. 4. Sections 3 and 2 are comprised in circuit P fand when energized by the passage of an electric current attract the armature D to a position opposite the one shown in Fig. 4, thereby attaining the reverse movement for the switch -throwing mechanism.

In Figs. 1 and 2 are shown pipes leading from the box 2' on trolley-supporting pole I into the ground adjacent to the switch-box A for the protection of the circuit-wires.

It is not essential that the electric device for controlling the circuitP should be on the pole; but it is placed there for convenience of access and to exclude the necessity of carrying a live wire into the ground where the feed-wire is located above the ground. In case the feed-wire was located in the roadbed, as is the case in the third-rail system, the said electric device would be located in or adjacent to switch-box A.

In Fig. 2 the rails R R are connected by bond-wire J and are insulated at points 2 2e 2. The ground-wire Gis connectedby bonds to the rails in the customary manner.

The operation of the switch is as follows: The electric current applied from a car on the insulated section of rail R R passes from said rail through circuit-conductor S to the ground-wire G and comprising in its circuit the coils of magnet N energizes said magnet, attracting its armaturej and by the mechanism described connects circuit-conductor P with one of the circuit-conductors P or P as the case maybe, thereby allowing the electric current to fiow from the feed wire F through the coils of magnet M to the groundwire G. As each successive flow of current from the insulated rails R R causes the mechanism to close circuits P' and P alternately, it is evident that the armature D in magnet M will be attracted to reverse positions successively, causing a like action of the switchtongue T, with which it is connected. The

switch-throwing magnet M is wound with wire and also to economize in the amount of current used, as well as to avoid the increased danger with which heavy currents are attended. A safety-fuse may also be used, as is customary in connections with high-voltage circuits. In the winding of the circuitclosing magnet N coarse wire is used, as little energy is required and it is desirable that this circuit should offer as little resistance to the current as possible. The mechanism con: nected with this magnet N is arranged to operate with a greater or less amount of current, according to the adjustment of the weightX on lever K. For instance, it is found that in summer it is desirable to have the electric-circuit switch operate on the passage of a small amount of current from a car,when the weight X would be suspended from a point marked 5 on lever K, which means that five amperes of current are sufficientto raise the armature In winter, especially on cold days, it will be found that the electric heaters on the cars are passing an amount of current (five to fifteen amperes) which would interfere with the working of the electric-circuit-switch-operating magnet N by means of the controller on the car unless the current in the heaters were first shut off. In this case the weight X is shifted to a point on lever K requiring more current than is passed by the heaters to raise armature j of magnet N. In this way all trouble which the heaters might occasion in the operation of the switch is effectually overcome.

The cells C, C, and O containing the mercury m, also contain a small quantity of dry sand or other substance, which floats on the mercury and smothers the spark which would otherwise result on breaking circuit.

Among the advantages of the mechanism described are the following: By using an electric current direct from the feed-wire to the switch-throwing magnet we get an operating force which in strength is independent of that supplied from the car; that the circuit leading from the insulated rail to the groundwire has so little resistance that the amount of insulation required for the insulated rails is reduced to a minimum; that by using a high-voltage current direct from the feedwire we are enabled to use due wire on the switch-throwing magnet, thereby producing a great saving in material and space; that by using a compound or double-acting magnet, as described, the switch'throwin g mechanism is reduced to the utmost simplicity, and that the electrical circuit-governing device comprised herein overcomes any trouble which the use of electric heaters in the cars might occasion in the working of the switch.

The essential feature of our invention is the using of two separate electric circuits, the principal circuit direct from the feedwire to operate the switch-throwing magnet, and the secondary circuitthe one passing from the car through the insulated railfor operating the magnet which closes the firstnamed or principal circuit.

Having thus described our improvements, what we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a switch-tongue, a magnet for throwing the tongue, an electriccircuit conductor leading from a feed-wire to a return-wire, and comprising in its circuit the coils of said magnet and an electric-circuit switch, and an insulated section of track, a second electric-circuit conductor separate from the said first-11am ed electric-circuit conductor, said second electric-circuit conductor connecting said insulated section of track with a return-wire, and comprising in its circuit the coils of a magnet for operating said electric-circuit switch, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a switch-throwing mechanism, of two distinct electrical circuits, as follows: a first or principal electrical circuit leading from a feed-wire to a return-wire exclusive of the car or track and comprising in its circuit the coils of a car-switch-throwing magnet, and an electric-circuit switch, and a second or secondary circuit connecting an insulated section of track with a returnsaid electric-circuit switch, the coils of a carswitch-operating magnet, and a return-wire.

t. The combination with an electrically-operated car-switch-throwing mechanism, of an electric circuit-governing device in which is comprised an electric-circuit switch, an insulated section of rail, and suitable circuitconductors.

5. In combination with an electrically-operated car-switch-throwing mechanism, an electric circuit-governing device comprising a solenoid-magnet and its armature, a lever operated by said armature, a plunger with swivel attachment to said lever, a bracket for guiding the movements of said plunger, a ratchet plate and spring cooperating with said plunger, a contact bar or fork carried by said plunger, a block of non-conducting material containing mercury contacts with which said contact bar or fork cooperated, and a weight for controlling the operation of before-mentioned lever, all substantially as set forth.

6. In a car-switch-throwing mechanism,the combination of a switch-tongue, a switch-rod, a lever, a magnet and its armature for operating said mechanism, an electric-circuit conductor in which is comprised the coils of said magnet, and an electric-circuit switch with suitable feed and return wires, a section of insulated rail, a second electric-circuit conductor, comprising in its circuit said insulated section of rail, the coils of a magnet for operating said electric-circuit switch, and a return-wire, substantially as described.

7. In an electrically-operated car-switchthrowing mechanism for railways, in combination, an electric-circuit conductor leading from a feed-wire to a ground or return wire exclusive of the carand comprising in its circuit an electric-circuit switch and the coils of a magnet for operating said car-switchthrowing mechanism, electric-circuit conductors adapted to form .a continuous electric circuit from the trolley or feed wire through the car when adjacent the switch to the ground or return wire and comprising in said circuit the coils of a magnet by means of which and the said electric-circuit switch the first-named electric circuit is closed only upon passage of the electric current through the car-circuit and means by which the said switch-throwing mechanism is made to assume a reversed posit-ion at each successive passage of electric current through the car-circuit, substantially as set forth.

CHARLES NM. SQUIRES. JAMES B. SQTIIRES. lVitn esses:

F. E. CARPENTER, W. FRANK CLARK, A. IP. GoNeDEN. 

